Sustainable Practices Targets

Operational Excellence

The university is dedicated to transforming administrative and operational practices to be more sustainable: reducing our use of carbon and energy with the goal of being a carbon-free campus, reducing waste and committing to environmentally responsible procurement. Developing time-bound metrics that benchmark our progress across all strategic drivers is a priority and a responsibility shared by all McMaster leaders.

A greener, healthier way to get to campus

Thanks to a group of students, the revitalized Parking Services website has a new focus on sustainable and active transportation.

Students in the SUSTAIN 2SS3 course worked with Parking Services and the Office of Sustainability to shift the site’s focus from driving and parking to highlight multiple commuting options and offer resources and information for walking, biking and public transit.

Campus Plan 

The Campus Plan Steering Committee was central to this process throughout. This group comprised a broad range of university leaders, faculty members, administrators, staff and student representatives. The role of the Steering Committee was to provide direction to the team in all aspects of the Campus Plan. A series of meetings, including an in-person design charette, were held with the Steering Committee throughout the duration of the Campus Plan stages. 

To explore specific thematic issues of relevance to the Campus Plan in greater depth, three individual working groups were established: 

• Transportation and Movement Working Group: Thematic meetings addressed the concepts of a holistic green travel strategy, considering active transportation, integration of transit and managing car parking. 

• Energy and Sustainability Working Group 

• Ecology and Stormwater Management Working Group 

Internal Community Consultation In February and April 2022, an online survey was distributed to the McMaster internal community, including students, faculty and staff. The electronic survey was available for two weeks and closed on April 5, 2022. The launch of the survey aligned with key consultation events, such as the on-site pop-ups and the intensive consultation with internal groups which included McMaster University leadership, collective engagement of the student body, staff and faculty, and academic and administrative groups. The intent of the survey was to facilitate a broad outreach to the McMaster University community to understand general impressions about the campuses and to understand existing gaps and areas of opportunity. The survey included questions on respondent demographics and three open ended questions which include:  

• What do you like about your campus?  

• What don’t you like about your campus?  

• What would make it better?  

Key themes which arose from the consultation related to:  

• Access to Nature and Biophilic Design: Respondents had an overwhelming appreciation for green spaces and access to nature, with a strong desire to maintain the existing green spaces and support for the creation of additional green space. 

• Buildings: Though there was an appreciation for the architectural character of the buildings including the historical nature of some buildings, there was a prevailing theme to improve the existing stock of the buildings from its usability, access to natural light (windows), functionality, sustainability, accessibility and improvement to technology.  

• Use of Location: This term was referenced across all three opened ended questions. Feedback suggests that some respondents appreciate the layout and ability to get between buildings while some respondents felt that this was a challenge and should be further considered.  

• Transportation: Many respondents indicated difficultly accessing their buildings on campus either because parking was limited, or public transit drop off points were located too far from their intended destination.  

Feedback from this initial consultation informed the development of the Campus Plan Strategic Objectives. In January 2023, the key principles underpinning the final Campus Plan were presented to the university’s community. An online survey was answered by 1,072 people, including students, faculty, alumni, staff and members of the local community. The survey demonstrated overarching support for the principles behind the Campus Plan, with several important themes emerging from the survey responses. The development of more housing on campus, nearby and walkable to campus, and along key transit routes, as well as the provision of safe, accessible, and sustainable transportation and sustainability goals were highlighted as key priorities for the university community. 

Green Travel Plans (page 87) 

Supporting a Shift to Sustainable Travel Modes In addition to the physical infrastructure measures highlighted through the Transportation and Movement Strategy, there are a range of complementary measures that the university can implement to encourage a move towards more sustainable travel options. These include: 

• Exploring, monitoring and reviewing all travel charges, subsidies and incentives which ensure that choosing sustainable travel options are economically advantageous to all students, faculty and staff. 

• Encouraging car share clubs.  

• Installing electric vehicle charging facilities.  

• Publicity and promotion campaigns to encourage a shift to more sustainable modes of travel.   

• Increasing the supply of housing options on campus, within walking or cycling distance, or along key public transit corridors connected to McMaster.  

It is recommended that the university develops a Green Travel Plan which would set clear, measurable targets relating to shifting travel to sustainable modes. The plan would be reviewed and updated on an annual basis. 

Promoting Sustainable Commuting

McMaster University Sustainability Policy

“The University encourages sustainable modes of transportation and recognizes the need to balance the demands of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.To adhere to this goal, the University will pursue the following objectives:

• collaborate and coordinate with other community agencies and groups (e.g., Hamilton Street Railway, City of Hamilton and neighbouring communities) to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transportation;
• provide amenities to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transportation (e.g., bicycle lockers and racks, external emergency telephones and pedestrian-priority campus walkways);
• provide education to promote pedestrian and bicycle safety in and around the campus; and
• identify and implement sustainable alternatives to University-owned vehicles where appropriate.

Promoting sustainable commuting at McMaster

Students help community members adopt sustainable habits

A group of McMaster students, in collaboration with the community organization Daily School Route (DSR), helped elementary school students at a downtown Hamilton school adopt greener, more active modes of transportation, such as walking and wheeling, to and from school.

Making sustainable transportation a reality in our communities

As countries around the world grapple with the looming threat of climate change, researchers have turned their attention to urgently needed green transportation solutions.

Whether it’s finding new ways to deliver critical medical supplies or challenging what we know about our existing infrastructure, McMaster experts are working alongside global partners to understand and develop the next generation of green transportation.

Here are five stories that highlight the ways in which our researchers are re-imagining the future of clean transportation and how we can incorporate sustainable transportation practices in our communities, both locally and globally.

Sustainability Strategy

In 2022, McMaster University launched a Sustainability strategy to promote inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainability on campus and in the community.

The university also provides information about sustainable commuting on its websites and through its offices, including guides on public transit and resources on how students and staff can take advantage of these resources.

• Public transit: Students attending McMaster receive a free year-round Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) bus pass as part of their tuition. These passes can be conveniently pre-loaded onto PRESTO transit cards. For those commuting from further afield, McMaster’s GO Bus Terminal, located on the main campus, provides direct services for GO Transit routes connecting to the Greater Toronto Area. Weekday ridership at McMaster is about 3,000 rides in total per Monday to Thursday and 4,500 rides in total on Fridays.
• Shuttle bus to Burlington satellite campus: A shuttle bus service is available for students, staff, and faculty traveling between the main McMaster campus in Hamilton and the Ron Joyce Centre, McMaster’s satellite campus in Burlington. All regular shuttles also make an additional stop at the side of the McMaster Children’s Hospital on the main campus.

• Cycling programs: McMaster University and the City of Hamilton are spectacular cycle locations. There are close to 2,000 bike parking places on campus, and McMaster is home to six bike share stations as part of the SoBi Hamilton Bike Share Students, faculty, and staff can purchase discounted bike share memberships.

Since the launch of the bike share program in 2015, there have been more than 86,000 bicycle trips to and from campus, and total trips to and from SoBi hubs on campus have increased by 150 per cent. McMaster University’s Student Center hub remains the busiest hub in the City of Hamilton.

McMaster maintains 18 CycleSafe bike lockers that can be rented by staff, faculty, and students. A secure bike storage facility can also house 48 bikes.

• Electric vehicles: McMaster University has a fleet of 13 electric vehicles with 23 free charging stations in locations across campus.
• Carpool program: McMaster has a well-established carpool program where two or more individuals can register for a carpool permit from Parking and Transit Services. Carpooling is available at Main Campus, the Downtown Centre, and McMaster’s satellite campus in Burlington. Registered carpools are eligible for a designated parking space.

Bike to Work Day

McMaster hosts a Bike to Work Day each year to coincide with Bike Month events across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, which promote cycling as a sustainable alternative to transportation. Last year we saw more than 200 commuters make a more sustainable choice to get to campus.

We worked with Smart Commute Hamilton to organize a group ride from the kick-off event in downtown Hamilton (and back to campus). A station outside the McMaster University Student Centre provided cold refreshments and healthy snacks to more than 50 cyclists, and raffle prizes included bike locks and bike headlamps. A bike repair station was also provided.

CityLAB Hamilton

CityLAB Hamilton is an innovation hub that brings together student, academic, and civic leaders to co-create a better Hamilton for all. Partners are McMaster University, Mohawk College, Redeemer University, and the City of Hamilton. Collaborations have include research projects that address green spaces, climate change, neighbourhood resilience, and establishing a connected cycling network for Hamilton.

Academic Sustainability Program promotes sustainable commuting

McMaster University strives to provide all our students with the opportunity to take part in interdisciplinary, student-led, community-based, experiential learning focused on sustainability and the SDGs. Although programs are offered in multiple Faculties, the Academic Sustainability Programs Office is the central resource for many of these innovative programs offered at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Student initiatives have centered on fostering community involvement and advocacy for green transportation (pg. 24, 25, 34 of the 2022-2023 Annual Report).

Affordable Housing for Students and Employees

Every McMaster student deserves a great place to call home. Living in residence is an amazing way to adjust to university while being supported by a great community. Our 13 on-campus residences offer a variety of traditional dormitory style and apartment/suite style rooms in each building. Residence provides housing and meal plans for undergraduate students. Applications for residence must be submitted online through Housing and Conference Services before the deadline in June. Students are encouraged to indicate whether they require special accommodations. International and out-of-province students as well as Ontario students coming directly from high school and meeting the residence admission average are guaranteed on-campus housing.

Residence Life Area Coordinators

These professionals are full-time, live-in employees of the university who are responsible for the overall management of the residence communities. All Residence Life Area Coordinators (RLACs) have had extensive background in residence living environments. This background in student life prepares them well to handle responsibilities such as:

• Supervising approximately 130 Residence Life Staff Members
• Counselling and advising residence student experiencing difficulty
• Ensuring the physical safety and security of the residence buildings
• Developing community development and learning opportunities for residents
• Responding to crisis and emergency situations
• Assisting residents to resolve conflicts and transition to communal living expectations
• Investigating and enforcing residence community standards and code of conduct issues

All others can find student housing options that are still close to campus. To help you search for and secure off-campus housing, check out the Mac Off-Campus Housing website for student rental listings and helpful resources.

Recognizing that many students struggle with the costs of rent, McMaster offers bursaries and financial assistance for students to help them with the rising cost of rent. The University is also working as quick as possible to add more housing for students, including recently opening its first graduate residence and breaking ground on a new residence for undergraduate students, which should provide all first-year students with housing.

10 Bay Residence

10 Bay is McMaster’s first residence to house faculty & staff, and those pursuing graduate and undergraduate degrees. With more than 640 beds, 10 Bay’s location allows for flexibility in travelling to McMaster’s main campus and satellite locations and provides all-inclusive utilities, Internet, parking and amenities like study and athletic spaces. The residence also features live-in community staff who look to connect students in the spirit of collaboration, friendship and inclusiveness. As part of our commitment to supporting you amidst Canada’s evolving housing landscape we are inviting you to come and live at 10 Bay. McMaster Community members can lease at 10 Bay, including but not limited to:

• Students in graduate or postdoctoral programs
• Students in undergraduate programs
• Faculty and staff

Policy on Recruitment and Relocation Expenses for Academic Appointments

It is the policy of the Office of the Provost (or the FHS Faculty Relations Office for FHS recruits) to reimburse for the standard moving charges that are in accordance with the University’s Strategic Procurement policy, to a maximum of $5,000. Any eligible amounts above this threshold would be the responsibility of the appropriate Faculty Dean’s or Academic Department office. Eligible expenses include the cost of packing, transporting or storing personal and household effects while moving from the old residence to the new.

As a member of the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO), the University has contractual agreements with two preferred corporate international moving companies that offer substantial discounts and guaranteed services. In addition to moving expenses, the Office of the Provost (or FHS Faculty Relations Office for FHS recruits) will also pay travel expenses for the new appointee, his/her spouse and dependent children, in accordance with the McMaster University Reimbursement to Individuals Policy, which generally allows for a maximum of economy airfare by the most direct route from their place of residence to the Hamilton vicinity.

Assistance for cost of living

McMaster is introducing a new Exceptional Housing and Commuting Bursary to help students facing rising costs of living during this period of inflation. This special bursary is available to all undergraduate students studying at a McMaster campus who demonstrate financial need and are facing a sharp rise in their housing and/or commuting costs. It is one of many other bursary programs available to students, including the Access Program, Jay Treaty Fee Adjustment for Indigenous Students bursary. The Access Program which connects equity-deserving students and those from historically under-represented backgrounds with information and support to set them up for success in university and provides an avenue for them to complete their studies.

• The Access Award provides up to $20,000 per year for four years of post-secondary education at McMaster. Students also receive mentorship, employment options and academic supports to set them up for success.
• The Jay Treaty Fee Adjustment bursary assists with not only tuition, but also cost of living expenses such as housing, childcare, food and transportation.

Finally, McMaster’s Okanagan Office of Health & Well-being provides crisis support and resources for all community members who need urgent support such as housing, emergency food or financial support.

Campus Plan

Alongside growth in academic space in line with student numbers, the university is seeking to significantly increase the housing options available to students, faculty and staff (page 100). The aspiration is to provide purpose-built accommodation for:  

• Two-thirds of first-year students (circa 5,000 to 6,000 beds). 

• A quarter of returning students (circa 6,000 to 7,000 beds).  

• A quarter of graduate students (circa 1,200 units).  

• 5% of academics and staff (circa 800 units).  

This is a significant change in both the range of groups being considered in the strategy and the current level of supply. It is recognized that this level of development cannot be delivered entirely on campus. The university will work with developers and landowners to identify opportunities for more housing options nearby and walkable to campus, and along key transit corridors connected to the university, including in downtown Hamilton.  

The Campus Plan appreciates the time and complexity involved in delivering new accommodation on this scale, however, potential locations for on-campus housing have been identified and distributed across the three growth scenarios. 

External engagement for the McMaster University Campus Plan consisted of an online survey and in-person Community Consultation through partnerships with local housing communities. Both initiatives sought feedback on five themes identified through previous consultation within the University: 

• Provide more housing options on campus and nearby;  

• Create a connected and accessible university;  

• Enhance our natural environment;  

• Reduce our carbon footprint;  

• A brighter future. 

Overall response was in support of themes presented. Below are some of the highlights of implications for the Campus Plan:  

• Provide more high quality housing options for students to reduce the impact on the community. 

• Ensure new developments incorporate mixed uses and sustainable design.  

• Enhance connectivity, permeability and accessibility of the campus. 

• Balance provision of parking. Many wanted to reduce the overflow of parking into the broader community. 

The follow-up community consultation consisted of an online survey, and an on-site pop-up event on the university’s main campus. A series of consultation boards were developed which outlined the feedback received to date and how the main ideas responded to this feedback. These ideas were grouped under the following themes:  

• Re-imagining Key Entrances 

• Safe, Accessible and Sustainable Transportation 

• More Housing Options on Campus and Nearby 

• Green Design and Natural Spaces 

• Innovative Learning, Research and Collaborative Spaces 

With regard to housing, following feedback from all three consultation events, it was clear that the provision of more housing options is of the utmost concern for members of the McMaster and local communities and therefore should be a key driver of the Campus Plan. The provision of more housing options has since been added as one of the key strategic objectives for the Campus Plan and a plan for providing additional housing both on the campus and nearby is integral to the overall Campus Plan framework. 

A key issue that emerged from the baseline review and consultations was related to housing supply in Hamilton, particularly the availability of affordable housing for employees and students. 

Extensive engagement has also taken place with a broad range of external stakeholders with an interest in the future development of McMaster University. These include City of Hamilton, City of Burlington, public transit operators, the Hamilton Conservation Authority, the Royal Botanical Gardens and Mohawk College. The input, advice and guidance of each of these groups has been extremely valuable in shaping the Campus Plan. The Campus Plan team met on several occasions with City of Hamilton staff, local area councillors, Metrolinx representatives, HSR public transportation agency, Accessible Transit ServicesDARTS. Specific housing-related issues mentioned by the city representatives was “Address the housing crisis – the university needs to provide and manage its housing offer to lessen its impact on nearby neighbourhoods. Create on-campus, near campus and transit related housing.”